Blog posts of '2011' 'April'

Earth Day is just around the corner, and we are as excited as ever. Never before has so much attention been put on environmental issues as right now, and with good reason. People have the opportunity to use technology and common sense together to conserve natural resources, recycle a multitude of products, and utilize natural energy sources more readily in their daily lives. With all that being said, there is a great deal more to be done. We have become so accustomed to waste that we sometimes don’t even think about the small stuff that adds up big-time. One of the things that seems to be missed in a lot of the “green” conversation is all of the products we buy from manufacturers overseas, instead of products produced domestically.

There are several reasons that buying products that are made in America is the “green” environmentally friendly way to go.

The first, and biggest reason to buy products manufactured in the U.S.A., is the condition of the factories in which the products are produced. Most people don’t think about it, but very few countries have as many, or any, regulations or restrictions on dumping chemicals, releasing air pollutants, and other toxins into the environment. American factories, though not perfect, are far cleaner than almost all of their foreign counterparts. The domestic factories are held to a far higher standard for the environmental impact they have both on their employees and the area around them. Factories in China, and elsewhere are not under such scrutiny to keep the environment inside and around them clean.

The second-biggest “green” reason to buy products made domestically is simply the shipping. The fuel consumed in sending mass amounts of product half-way around the world is insane. Talk about a carbon footprint. Freight ships carrying millions of pounds of consumable goods embark across the Pacific Ocean on a daily basis, leaving in their wake a thick diesel fog of greenhouse gasses.

Those may be the two biggest “green” reasons to buy domestic, American-made products, but there are many more - one being the human factor. We, in the U.S., tend to treat our employees with dignity and respect. Though there are a few exceptions, most American companies try to provide a clean and safe work environment for all who work there. There is no such guarantee from foreign manufacturers who may not have any incentive to treat their employees well.

That is why buying products made in the United States makes so much sense and is definitely a more environmentally friendly way to go. It helps keep jobs at home, money at home, and helps keep the planet cleaner and safer for all who live here.

Everyone spends a great deal of time and energy discussing the environment these days. Global warming, the oceans rising, strange weather events. Very few media events focus a great deal of energy on a much more serious problem, saving fresh water. There are some parts of the United States where droughts are so bad that people are using rain buckets to collect fresh water so they can water their plants when there is no rain because using sprinklers are prohibited.

Water is a precious resource in our environment. All life depends on it. Growing populations and ongoing droughts are running our fresh water resources dry, causing natural habitats to decline and impacting our everyday use of water.

People in industrialized populations should feel obligated to pay more attention to how we are using water, and how we may be wasting it. We must bridge the gap between our understanding of how important water is to our survival and what we can do to ensure that we have an adequate supply of clean water for years to come.

Here are 10 easy and practical tips for thinking "green" by saving the "blue".

1. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

2. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.

3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.

4. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.

5. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.

6. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

7. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

8. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

9. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

10. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.

For more tips on how to save fresh water in your day-to-day lives, go to http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.

Of course, Mister Landscaper recommends using their products to save water as well. By utilizing Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation in your landscapes and gardens, you can save over half the fresh water you use every time you water. Imagine the impact that would make if everyone did that.

Mister Landscaper opts for on-package QR codes and SMS call to action

We have a new QR (quick response) program we have launched on our Kits and Side Stack Display of our new Micro Sprinkler Beginner's Kit at Lowe's this year. If you have a smart phone, you can scan the bar code on our packaging, and it will take you our new Mobile Web Site hosted and created by Augme. Please check it out or text 'DRIP2' to 30333